Canada Day celebrations in Taipei to showcase food, arts, culture

2016/06/15 18:29:27

David Bostwick (left), acting head of the CTOT, and Carrie Kellenberger, chairwoman of the CCCT.

Taipei, June 15 (CNA) Canadian culture and food specialties will be featured in Taipei later this month at the Canada Day celebrations in the city, a fun-filled event that is expected to draw thousands of people, the organizers said Wednesday.

Among the sections at this year's event, the Canadian Food and the Art Corner sections are new additions. The Canadian Food section will showcase an array of imported food from Canada, such as wild rice, beer, cider, and maple syrup, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan (CCCT) said at a news conference.

The Art Corner will display various handicrafts, and members of the Taipei Writers' Group will also set up a booth to showcase their publications, it added.

Meanwhile, visitors will have an opportunity to sample snacks and drinks with a Canadian flavor, including maple pies, maple iced tea and Bloody Caesar cocktails, the CCCT said.

The celebrations to mark Canada's 149th birthday will be held at the Hakka Cultural Park in Taipei June 25 from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., said the CCCT.

As in previous years, there will be a play area where people can try their hand at hockey, Canada's national sport, and there will also be a bull riding competition, the CCCT said.

The rides will be on a mechanical bull that replicates the bucking movements of the actual animal, and the person who manages to stay on the longest will win a round-trip ticket from Taiwan to Canada, the CCCT said.

Less daring visitors can try their luck in a raffle that will also have a grand prize of a round-trip ticket to Canada, according to the organizers.

There will also be live music performances at the event, which will end with a fireworks show, the CCCT said.

Last year's celebrations attracted about 7,000 people, and the CCCT is hoping that the turnout for this year's event will be even higher.

This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, which represents Canada's interests in Taiwan in the absence of bilateral diplomatic ties.

The office will hold a celebration in Taipei in September to mark its anniversary, said David Bostwick, acting head of the office.